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Allez (x6)

Not trying to spoil the party - genuine qurstion. I remember reading reports that McLaughlin was clearly a cut above other players during his under 21 games. And he did create a lot of scoring chances. But he didn't make it here (due to injuries?) and got released. How would you compare / contrast McLaughlin and TAA.

TIA Squad Member

On that note I seem to remember teams like Chelsea and City being able to bully our youth teams in the past. From what I've read it seems we were pretty dominant. Are the kids getting a bit better at handling this approach?

TIA Regular

On that note I seem to remember teams like Chelsea and City being able to bully our youth teams in the past. From what I've read it seems we were pretty dominant. Are the kids getting a bit better at handling this approach?

TIA Regular

Not trying to spoil the party - genuine qurstion. I remember reading reports that McLaughlin was clearly a cut above other players during his under 21 games. And he did create a lot of scoring chances. But he didn't make it here (due to injuries?) and got released. How would you compare / contrast McLaughlin and TAA.

TAA is bigger physically, hasnt had many injuries (especially serious ones). He also started out a winger i think (like Ryan Sessegnon, our young target at Fulham?) so i think is better suited to the premier league than Mclaughlin was and will be more likely to make it here. He still is a bit raw defensively, but he looks a smart lad and so over time will pick that up.

We have had a long history of promising right backs in the reserves, so its wise to not count our chickens before they hatch - but i think TAA is probably our best chance of breaking that mould.

Well-Known Member

TAA is bigger physically, hasnt had many injuries (especially serious ones). He also started out a winger i think (like Ryan Sessegnon, our young target at Fulham?) so i think is better suited to the premier league than Mclaughlin was and will be more likely to make it here. He still is a bit raw defensively, but he looks a smart lad and so over time will pick that up.

We have had a long history of promising right backs in the reserves, so its wise to not count our chickens before they hatch - but i think TAA is probably our best chance of breaking that mould.

McLaughlin was very unlucky with injuries. In case anyone was wondering how he's doing he was man of the match for Oldham at the weekend, my mates a scout and text me after the game. He wasn't scouting Ryan though

TIA Regular

McLaughlin was very unlucky with injuries. In case anyone was wondering how he's doing he was man of the match for Oldham at the weekend, my mates a scout and text me after the game. He wasn't scouting Ryan though

"Oh, history writer, don't close the pages yet!"

Not trying to spoil the party - genuine qurstion. I remember reading reports that McLaughlin was clearly a cut above other players during his under 21 games. And he did create a lot of scoring chances. But he didn't make it here (due to injuries?) and got released. How would you compare / contrast McLaughlin and TAA.

I loved him but he got constantly injured. In terms of pace, I think he was better than Alexander-Arnold, also had bundles of energy and same attacking inclination. However, at youth level, Alexander-Arnold looks more complete (passing, tackling, one-on-ones), calmer, more mature, crosses the ball better (which McLaughlin also did well). We'll see how far he can go, I think that he's now very much a big part of Klopp's plans for the future, starting from next season.

deeply superficial

In the words of Jamie Carragher, wasn't McLaughlin a failed winger (instead of a failed CB- like Gary N.), but TAA is more like a young Gerrard breaking through (in position only, not saying he is Gerrard!) at RB, but with the ability to possibly end up at CM? He is a much more versatile player than McLaughlin ever was. They are grooming him to be Clyne's understudy at the moment but I'm not convinced he doesn't play central at some point in his career after playing a season or two at RB.

"Oh, history writer, don't close the pages yet!"

Another great interview with Michael Beale, confirming a lot of our feeling when it comes to certain young players we have (see his comments on Kent, for example). Interestingly enough, British media are putting him in the limelight more since he moved to Brazil but 90% percent of questions are related to Liverpool.

TIA Regular

In the words of Jamie Carragher, wasn't McLaughlin a failed winger (instead of a failed CB- like Gary N.), but TAA is more like a young Gerrard breaking through (in position only, not saying he is Gerrard!) at RB, but with the ability to possibly end up at CM? He is a much more versatile player than McLaughlin ever was. They are grooming him to be Clyne's understudy at the moment but I'm not convinced he doesn't play central at some point in his career after playing a season or two at RB.

TIA Youth Team

Another great interview with Michael Beale, confirming a lot of our feeling when it comes to certain young players we have (see his comments on Kent, for example). Interestingly enough, British media are putting him in the limelight more since he moved to Brazil but 90% percent of questions are related to Liverpool.

In the Danger Zone.

I loved him but he got constantly injured. In terms of pace, I think he was better than Alexander-Arnold, also had bundles of energy and same attacking inclination. However, at youth level, Alexander-Arnold looks more complete (passing, tackling, one-on-ones), calmer, more mature, crosses the ball better (which McLaughlin also did well). We'll see how far he can go, I think that he's now very much a big part of Klopp's plans for the future, starting from next season.

Not sure mclaughlin was quicker than Trent. Never had the same energy and never made the same amount of runs in behind either. No slight on him, I've never seen anybody at youth level play like Trent. Mclaughlin was better at running with the ball but that's about it imo.

"Oh, history writer, don't close the pages yet!"

Not sure mclaughlin was quicker than Trent. Never had the same energy and never made the same amount of runs in behind either. No slight on him, I've never seen anybody at youth level play like Trent. Mclaughlin was better at running with the ball but that's about it imo.

I understand what you're saying but I got a different impression from watching him. I'm so gutted lad didn't make it, he had everything needed to be at least a decent PL-level right back (remember games he and Brad Smith played at fullback, I was so optimistic about them breaking through, they looked like real modern fullbacks).

As for Alexander-Arnold, yeah, I also can't remember anyone at youth level playing with the same level of maturity as him, though the likes of Sterling and Suso looked more exciting, obviously, due to fact that they played in attack. Of course, we're talking about youth, not senior football, but I hope that he can carry that over to first team. If we only had a left back equivalent of him, eh...

Fighting like beavers.

I feel Klopp believes a lot in Trent and Woodburn, while maybe he was thinking of Brewster when he said we had a very special kid but it's too early for him. Two very young boys, but seem to have the material, hunger and willingness to be real team players.

Spreading the word of St Igor

I first got to see TAA during preseason, and immediately felt he'd make it. You just get a feeling with some players. It wasn't a competitive match, granted, but was just so assured on the ball, creative with it combined with physical athleticism. He just stood out that day, and the feeling has persisted with his first-team appearances since then.

Woodburn was another when he first came on. I know we've been here before many times, but really do think we have a few gems in this generation of kids coming up.

deeply superficial

I first got to see TAA during preseason, and immediately felt he'd make it. You just get a feeling with some players. It wasn't a competitive match, granted, but was just so assured on the ball, creative with it combined with physical athleticism. He just stood out that day, and the feeling has persisted with his first-team appearances since then.

Woodburn was another when he first came on. I know we've been here before many times, but really do think we have a few gems in this generation of kids coming up.

Well-Known Member

I first got to see TAA during preseason, and immediately felt he'd make it. You just get a feeling with some players. It wasn't a competitive match, granted, but was just so assured on the ball, creative with it combined with physical athleticism. He just stood out that day, and the feeling has persisted with his first-team appearances since then.

Woodburn was another when he first came on. I know we've been here before many times, but really do think we have a few gems in this generation of kids coming up.

I would say the vast majority of premier league midfielders could make a decent push at playing RB, and so I think one of the advantages he has in that initial evaluation is that he genuinely a midfielder who has been pushed back into a role he has the traits to play and that the first team needs support in. That means he looks more composed and comfortable on the ball than a more natural athlete type player who has been converted to full back. I think the biggest obstacle he has to overcome is that there are significant question marks over his defending, especially one on one.

Well-Known Member

Not sure mclaughlin was quicker than Trent. Never had the same energy and never made the same amount of runs in behind either. No slight on him, I've never seen anybody at youth level play like Trent. Mclaughlin was better at running with the ball but that's about it imo.

Well-Known Member

I feel Klopp believes a lot in Trent and Woodburn, while maybe he was thinking of Brewster when he said we had a very special kid but it's too early for him. Two very young boys, but seem to have the material, hunger and willingness to be real team players.

Well-Known Member

I understand what you're saying but I got a different impression from watching him. I'm so gutted lad didn't make it, he had everything needed to be at least a decent PL-level right back (remember games he and Brad Smith played at fullback, I was so optimistic about them breaking through, they looked like real modern fullbacks).

As for Alexander-Arnold, yeah, I also can't remember anyone at youth level playing with the same level of maturity as him, though the likes of Sterling and Suso looked more exciting, obviously, due to fact that they played in attack. Of course, we're talking about youth, not senior football, but I hope that he can carry that over to first team. If we only had a left back equivalent of him, eh...

The interesting thing is that Smith is at a PL team while McLaughlin - who was significantly more effective at youth level - is toiling away in the lower leagues. Injuries certainly played a part but Smith isn't an iron man either.

"Oh, history writer, don't close the pages yet!"

The interesting thing is that Smith is at a PL team while McLaughlin - who was significantly more effective at youth level - is toiling away in the lower leagues. Injuries certainly played a part but Smith isn't an iron man either.

I was surprised by his recovery ability, though, I think he did his ACL twice but never looked like he lost an inch of pace. McLaughlin, though... Always some niggles he couldn't get rid of. I can't remember exactly what was the crux of his injury issues, I think there was a significant one that kept him out longer than others and he never really recovered.

Allez (x6)

I first got to see TAA during preseason, and immediately felt he'd make it. You just get a feeling with some players. It wasn't a competitive match, granted, but was just so assured on the ball, creative with it combined with physical athleticism. He just stood out that day, and the feeling has persisted with his first-team appearances since then.

Woodburn was another when he first came on. I know we've been here before many times, but really do think we have a few gems in this generation of kids coming up.

Local lad as well, seems to have that real bite to his game. We really do have a fucking immense set of young lads, and Klopp is probably in the top 3 of managers who could oversee them becoming superstars.

Fighting like beavers.

I like Kent, but I do wonder how he gets in Klopp's plans. Maybe it will not be enough in terms of that decision making, etc. I was disappointed when Markovic got in the plane for US ahead of him last summer. A better loan? Maybe, but will he attract that interest? I don't know. I wonder what type of improvement will make Klopp include him in his squad. I'm afraid he will still look at him as too individualistic. Still some time for him to do it of course and it's not like Ojo or Wilson are massively ahead of him (but as I said, they obviously trust Woodburn a lot), at least it doesn't seem so.

Allez (x6)

I like Kent, but I do wonder how he gets in Klopp's plans. Maybe it will not be enough in terms of that decision making, etc. I was disappointed when Markovic got in the plane for US ahead of him last summer. A better loan? Maybe, but will he attract that interest? I don't know. I wonder what type of improvement will make Klopp include him in his squad. I'm afraid he will still look at him as too individualistic. Still some time for him to do it of course and it's not like Ojo or Wilson are massively ahead of him (but as I said, they obviously trust Woodburn a lot), at least it doesn't seem so.

You have to remember Klopp had Reus who in the youth set up was very similar to Kent, very similar skill set.. Not saying they are the same level, but it clicked very early for Reus, if it clicks for Kent there is no reason he can't have a very very good career. He constantly gets name dropped (even when not needed) when anyone associated with or close to the club are discussing our youth prospects.

Even if it doesn't work we'd get a good fee for him.. He's easily as good as Ibe, just not got the first team exposure. If we keep cracking out 15mil per youth player, when we've got a raft of them who could go down that route.. Kent/Wilson/Ojo.. Serious money making production line we have going, and there is always the big chance some if not all could become first team players (my favoured option.)

Allez (x6)

Yeah but he started at Dortmund, his move gave him the exposure and really refined his game and decision making (it was like a long term youth loan).. His productivity through the youth teams wasn'tt fantastic. Certainly not the 1 in 3 goals he did at BM, which turned into 1 in 2 at Dortmund.